48 On Wiltshire Weather Proverbs and Weather Fallacies. 



we have upon March, without exception, indulge in a fling* at its 

 unhappy fickleness. Thus, in true Wiltshire language : — ■ 



" As many mistises in March, 

 So many frostises in May." * 



And the well-known adage : — 



" If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb ; 

 If it comes in like a lamb, it goes out like a lion," 



And again : — 



" Better to be bitten by a snake than to feel the sun in March." f 

 For April again 



" A cold April 



The barn will fill." J 



And again : — ■ 



" April showers 

 Bring summer flowers." 



* The German proverb which corresponds with this, enunciates a somewhat different law 

 " So viel Nebel in Marz, 

 So veil Regen im sommer." 



(■ Elsewhere the same horror of too genial a March finds expression in the following proyeibs ;— 

 " March many-weathers rained and bio wed, 

 But March grass never did anybody good." 



In Germany : 



In France 



"A wet March makes a sad harvest.' 



" Marzengrun 

 1st nicht schSn." 



" Marzenbluth ist nicht gut, 

 Aprilenbluth ist halb gut, 

 Maienbluth ist ganz gut," 



" Pluie de Mars 

 Ne profite pas." 



And in Spain there is a proverb to the effect that :— 



" A March sun sticks like a lock of wool." 



The sobriquets " fooliih March," and " Many-weather March," also show the estimation in. 

 which that treacherous month is generally held. 



X There is a Spanish proverb that " A cold April brings bread and wine ; "— 



" Abril frio 

 Pan y vino." 



And in Germany — 



"Ist das April kalt und nass 

 Dann wachst das Gras." 



And again;— 



" April 

 Thut was er will." 



